NOTE:
Various histories report different dates for the same event.
Dates given below are those most commonly reported. (Events related to
the "Geel Research
Project" are in bold.)

6th--7th c.

According to legend, beheading of Dymphna,
daughter of an
incestuous Irish king, and her guardian priest, Gerebern.
Evidence of devotion to memory of Dymphna and miracles attributed to
her from this date forward. Original worship takes place in
small
chapel containing relics of Dymphna and Gerebern

10th -11th c.

Spread of word regarding miracles necessitates
building of larger church.

1247

Canonization of Dymphna as
“patron saint of demented victims” because she
resisted
incestuous advances of her father who was believed to be
“possessed by the devil”

1248

First written record of St. Dymphna legend, by
Belgian canon Peter van Kamerijk

1280

Baron of Geel builds guest house hospital near St.
Dymphna’s chapel.

14th c.

Heavy influx of lunatic pilgrims seeking miracles

1349

Building of present church begun (completed 1749)

1480

Sickroom built onto church. Pilgrims
housed here for nine days of treatment.

1532

College of 10 clerics
established to oversee colony boarding system. Prior to this,
church priests provide informal supervision of family care.

1687

Church and sick room had been
destroyed several times by fire and storm New sick room built
to
accommodate more pilgrims; divided into four rooms with small dark cell
in each..

1797

French revolution results in
closing of church by French government. Many pilgrims still
come
to Geel. Received by private individuals

In context of new Belgian
legislation requiring every municipality to take charge of their own
mentally ill, four doctors nominated to oversee medical needs of
mentally ill pilgrims.

1838

Organization of family care
in Geel comes under local government

1850

National Mental Illness Law passed in Belgium
intended to protect patients as well as Belgian population.
Article 6 of law finally included to recognize family care.
Accommodation in family care given same legal status as admission to
normal psychiatric institution

1852

Administration of colony
taken over by state. Program formally designated as
Rijkskolonie
(State Colony) and Medical Director named

1862

First inpatient facility
built. Used for entry examination, treatment of somatic
problems,
and rehospitalization when problems with foster family developed

1875

Law passed to forbid
acceptance of patients into sick rooms of church. Law not
actually executed until 1881 when last patient stays in church

1885

Psychiatric hospital of
Lierneux (in province of Liège) founded for French speaking
patients of Geel

Grace Foundation, Inc. and Family Care Foundation
for the Mentally Ill, Inc. formed by John Moore, President of Grace
Line and father of mentally ill daughter, provide funding for summer
research project

Dr. Srole’s first letter to Belgian Minister
of Public Health recommending: increased Colony staff, increase in
financial support of Colony professionals and foster families

1970-78

NIMH
grant awarded for 3 year project,
“Geel Foster Family Care Research Project”; project
extended to 5 years w/out add’l funding and 3 more years w/
some
supplemental funding (Other funding during life of project from: N.Y.
State Psychiatric Institute, Belgium Ministry of Health, Leuven
University.)